"Open Farm Day – Sept 19". Spend a day on the farm and discover your rural routes"!
Everyone in Canada is welcome to take their interest and their families to the hundreds
of farms nation-wide that are participating in a meet-and-greet day. Manitoba's participation
is being planned through the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) office.
There are 35 farms in Manitoba taking part and Manitoba Agriculture's website shows a map with
locations of these 35 numbered farms and directions. Go to manitoba.ca/agriculture and click
Open Farm Day in the right column.

Locally, Ian Smith's Natural Raised Pork will be the centre of attention this Sunday, Sept. 19,
with an Open House on the Farm from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ian's farm is one of the 35 participating
farms. Ian is one of a very small number of pig-farmers that are able to open their doors to
the public, because he raises his pigs "the old-fashioned way" and doesn't have to be concerned
about bio-security like the larger farms. Ian will be pleased to introduce you to his humanely-raised
and happy pigs! He sells half-carcasses from his farmgate (actually, it's cut and wrapped at the
St. Laurent abbatoir, then Ian delivers -- really full-service!!) and he has customers all over the province;
Ian also participates at select Winnipeg Farmer's Markets. At Sunday's Open House, Ian will be pleased to show
off his farm operation and serve you complimentary ham-on-a-bun, with his mother Audrey's wonderful fresh-baked
buns! Don't miss it! Directions are easy: from the junction of PR322 and PR323 on the East side of Argyle
(where the 322 pavement turns and goes into Argyle), Ian is just 3 miles straight north of that intersection,
with a sign at his farm. Check out his website www.naturalpork.ca

Nearby farms/agribusinesses also participating are Riddell's Roasters and Rubby Ducky Resort & Campground.
At Riddell's, owners Rudy and Leslie Reimer will open their poultry and new aqua–culture rainbow trout fish
farm from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with tours taking place at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30, and 4 p.m. Their farm is located
on the north side of Hwy 67, watch for Riddell's Roasters sign. Just around the corner from there on the old
Warren Road (#76.5) is Rubber Ducky Resort and Campground. Owners Dennis and Sherri Crockatt will give you tours
from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and you will learn from them how they built their business from a traditional farm
operation and made it into a very popular agri-tourism destination featuring camping and trout fishing. Finish
off the day by taking in the Annual Warren United Church Fall Supper from 3:00-6:30pm which takes place at the
Warren Memorial Hall, with takeouts available at the Warren Fire Hall Multipurpose Room Area.

Fall suppers are a Prairie tradition and began as "fowl suppers" at the turn of the century when rural one room
school districts or churches each had their annual suppers and as those disappeared the tradition was carried on
by church and community groups. Every autumn, rural residents killed chickens and geese, baked pies, found local
halls or one-room schools big enough to hold everyone and celebrated a bountiful harvest. Over the years, fowl
supper chickens and geese have been replaced by turkeys, meatballs, ham, etc. I find it quite fitting that Open
Farm Day is held at this time of year as many communities all around our province are planning and holding their
suppers in the next few weeks. Although harvest this year may not be bountiful, not yet finished, or even a reason
for celebration (just ask someone who has been stuck in the field several times) our Churches and community and school
groups are running these buffet banquets as annual fundraisers to pay for much needed expenses, and to benefit our
community. These groups rely on the people in their communities to attend whether it be to enjoy the delicious meal,
or volunteer, and in many cases, both. Its events like these is what keeps small towns vibrant, with everyone working
together and also a chance for us to showcase our communities, our facilities, and our rural farming areas for those
that come from a distance or an urban area. And even better, where can you find a delicious homemade meal (topped off
with a piece of pie!) for ten bucks!!

Argyle's own Annual Fall Supper will take place in the Argyle Community Hall on September 26 from 3- 6:30 p.m.
Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 years of age and for children 5 and under - free. Takeouts available
and no reservations required. The Brant Argyle Advisory Council for School Leadership (BAACSL) would like to thank
the community for all of their help over the last 5 years. Once again, this will be a Community Fall Supper and the
proceeds from the Fall Supper will be shared amongst the community organizations. Volunteers are needed to work
a shift on Sunday, Sept. 26th, as well cookers for turkeys, stuffing, potatoes and turnips. As always, donations
of pies are greatly appreciated. For further information or to contact to have your name put on the list of volunteers,
call Tracy @ 383-5219 or Brenda @ 383-5237.

Argyle Community Centre will be holding it's 2nd Annual Pumpkin Fest on Sat Oct 9 taking place from Noon - 4:00 pm.
There will be games, crafts, face painting, tattoo's, fish pond , pumpkin decorating contest, barrel rides, balloon
animals, farmers market, canteen and much more. Watch for posters. If you would like to volunteer for this event there
is a sign- up sheet at the Argyle General Store and Meridian Trail General Store.

That's all for this week....keep the news coming....if you have any community news items, club news, family news,
congratulations, etc. that you would like to share through this column please contact me @ 467-8750 or
email @ jannglen@highspeedcrow.ca before Monday evening.